Friends of Yates will hold its fourth annual Evening of Praise, “Friends Embracing Lives through Praise,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7.
The event is held in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The event will take place at Forest Grove Baptist Church, 1417 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
The annual event benefits the Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams Center for victims of domestic violence, a program of Friends of Yates.
Brandon Roberson, a well-known gospel singer, will perform at this event. He has ministered with well-known members of the clergy, and will be coming here from Illinois. His website is at www.brandonroberson.org.
Also on the program is the testimony of a domestic violence survivor, vocalists’ performance, liturgical dancing and poetry. The evening’s featured artists will include Roberson, Heritage Dance Ministry, Sheri “purpose” Hall, Erin Jones and Tamra Jordan.
Admission is free to this event, and donations will be accepted to support the programs and services for survivors of domestic violence. It is a nondenominational event, and a reception will follow the program.
The Night of Praise will be the kickoff event that Friends of Yates will hold for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The 18th annual Awards and Faith Luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 26, at Friends of Yates. Future events will include the Holiday at the Apollo Gala annual meeting and benefit on Dec. 15, and the 39th annual Black Men and Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony to be held in February, recognizing contributions and achievements made by African-Americans within the community.
Yate was organization and became a branch of the YWCA here in 1913. One hundred five years later, Friends of Yates continues its mission to provide services and help to develop a sense of identity to children, youth, adults and senior adults that facilitate safe and productive lives through their programs.
Current programs and services of Friends of Yates include Black Men and Women of Distinction event; Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (CACE) event, and the Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence and their dependent children. Some of the many programs offered through DG/JHWC include; Keep a Clear Mind; Pathway to Advocacy and Violence free living and Economic empowerment (PAVE) program, which is a collaborative program between Friends of Yates and the Division of Child and Family Services (DCF), to provide domestic violence and sexual assault services to TANF recipients. Healthcare Advocacy Program (BridgeSpan); Emergency Shelter; Transitional Housing; Court Advocacy; Mental Health Services; Substance Abuse Counseling; Child Care; Translation Services; Community Outreach and Education; Strength-based Case Management; and 24-hour Crisis Hotline, Job Coaching and Economic Empowerment.
For more information about the Friends of Yates’ “Friends Embracing Lives through Praise” benefit or other events, contact Shanice Gipson, community outreach educator, at 913-321-1566 or email [email protected].
– Information from Shanice Gipson, community outreach educator, Friends of Yates